Thearts and culture ofMaryland are varied; they are not just limited to metropolitan areas, but can also be experienced throughout the state. There is an eclectic mix ofsouthern andnorthern American cultures influenced by its foundation as aCatholic colony.[1]
The main cultural centers include TheAmerican Film Institute, located inSilver Spring;The Filmore, located within the central offices ofDiscovery Communications; TheColumbia Center for Theatrical Arts, located inColumbia; and TheStrathmore, a cultural and artistic institution, located inBethesda. The Strathmore was founded in 1981, and consists of two venues: the "Mansion" and the "Music Center".[2]
English is the most widely spoken language; however,Spanish is spoken in small regions within the Washington, DC - Baltimore corridor. 87.4% of the population speaks only English at home, while 4.7% speak Spanish. Of the remaining 7.9%, no other languages are spoken by more than 1% of the population; of these,French and Chinese are the most common.[3]Southern Maryland, theEastern Shore andWestern Maryland haveSouthern accents and are influenced bySouthern culture.
There are several music festivals inMaryland. Ajazz festival is held inSilver Spring on the second Saturday in September.[4] InTakoma Park, afolk festival has been held annually since 1978. This festival was founded by Sam Abbott, former mayor of the city and a civil-rights activist.[5] In addition to hosting concerts by musicians from around the area on several stages, the festival also celebrates cultural diversity which exists throughout the region, with a wide variety of ethnic food and crafts.[6] There is also a street festival held annually over Memorial Day weekend in Rockville that includes a number of concerts over the course of the three-day festivities.[7]
The literature ofMaryland includes fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. Some Maryland authors are:John Barth,H. L. Mencken, andEdgar Allan Poe.[8]
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There are several weekly newspapers in Montgomery County:The Gazette (with versions for Germantown, Silver Spring and Takoma), and an information website calledGermantown Pulse, and theWashington Hispanic newspaper.[citation needed]
Popular blogs for Baltimore culture, arts, and history includeBaltimore Brew,Baltimore Fishbowl,Ghosts of Baltimore, andBaltimore Heritage.
Maryland has hundreds of libraries. Each county has one or more library per city and each[clarification needed] has their own library system. Each college and university has its own library as well. Maryland's 24 public library systems deliver public education for everyone in Maryland through a curriculum that is composed of three pillars: Self-Directed Education (books and materials in all formats, e-resources), Research Assistance & Instruction (individualized research assistance, classes for students of all ages), and Instructive & Enlightening Experiences (e.g., Summer Reading Clubs, author events).[9] Many of the library systems have established formalized partnerships with other educational institutions in their[clarification needed] counties and regions.[citation needed]
Maryland has hundreds of playgrounds, playing fields and basketball tennis courts available in each county. Many of theparks are public, but some belong to house owners or other private associations. In addition to public parks in urban areas,Maryland hosts numerous forms of outdoor recreation. These include access to theAppalachian Trail,mountain biking inPatapsco Valley State Park, androck climbing inRocks State Park (among other places).[10][11][12]
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